ONE of the south’s biggest community radio stations celebrated its 12th birthday with a huge bash at a Southampton hotel.

Unity 101 has been filling the airwaves with the music and culture of Southampton’s Asian and ethnic communities since 2006.

Around 300 hundred guests attended the gala at the Novotel Hotel, as well as the mayor of Eastleigh Cllr Maureen Sollitt, the sheriff of Southampton Cllr Stephen Barnes-Andrews, and Southampton City Council leader Cllr Simon Letts.

Hosts Faisal Javed and Kamla Sharma presented awards recognising the achievements of the station’s volunteers and those who have made an effort to promote community cohesion.

Special awards were also presented to students at sixth form colleges and universities across Southampton for their work with the station.

Project and station manager, Ram Kalyan “Kelly” said: “2017 has been a year filled with progress, love and most importantly memories. We at Unity 101 would like to thank our volunteers, our sponsors, the community and our listeners for making each and every year extra special. Without you Unity 101 would not be what it is today and for that we are truly grateful.

“All of us at Unity 101 would like to thank you and we sincerely hope that we can continue to build our relationship. 2018 ushers in a new year, with new projects, new opportunities – and indeed – new challenges.

“Though we will always and forever be ‘by the community, for the community and to the community’. “

Roll of honour

ALL PICTURES BY MICHAEL BUTTERS